--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes, it is hard out there. But hard is…" description: "\"Yes, it is hard out there. But hard is relative. I come from a middle-class family, my parents are academics. I was born after the Civil Rights movemen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/shonda-rhimes-1866_america_yes-it-is-hard-out-there-but-hard-is-rel_289594.jpg" --- # Yes, it is hard out there. But hard is relative. I come… ![“Yes, it is hard out there. But hard is relative. I come from a middle-class family, my parents are academics. I was born after the Civil Rights movement, I was a toddler during the women's movement, I live in the United States of America, all of which means I am allowed to own my freedom, my…” quote by Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/shonda-rhimes-1866_america_yes-it-is-hard-out-there-but-hard-is-rel_289594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/shonda-rhimes-1866_america_yes-it-is-hard-out-there-but-hard-is-rel_289594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/shonda-rhimes-1866_america_yes-it-is-hard-out-there-but-hard-is-rel_289594.jpg) > “Yes, it is hard out there. But hard is relative. I come from a middle-class family, my parents are academics. I was born after the Civil Rights movement, I was a toddler during the women's movement, I live in the United States of America, all of which means I am allowed to own my freedom, my rights, my voice and my uterus.” [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizes that personal hardships are contextual and shaped by socioeconomic background and historical era, emphasizing the privilege of freedom and bodily autonomy. **In simple terms:** Hardships depend on context and privilege. Key Takeaway Acknowledge privilege and use it to empower others. Themes privilege identity freedom social context Mood reflective empowering Type personal narrative social commentary When to use this quote - career planning - activism - health decisions - education choices Key Concepts intersectionality social determinants personal agency Questions to Reflect On - How does your background influence your perception of difficulty? - What responsibilities come with your freedoms? A Different Perspective Privilege does not erase all challenges; systemic barriers persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant/) [Civil Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-right/) [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Civil rights movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights-movement/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-hard/) [Hard Relative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-relative-2789380/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Middle class family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class-family/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Relative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relative/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Toddler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toddler/) [United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [United states of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states-of-america/) [Uterus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uterus/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Yes Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yes-hard-333293/) ## Related quotes > [It's been a long time since Roe v. Wade, and I do think most people are able to have respect for other people's choices.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/it-s-been-a-long-time-since-roe-v-wade-and-i-do-think-most-people-are/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Yes it will be hard, and it might seem like forever to accomplish, but if it's worth the long ride, you better strap on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gee-linder/yes-it-will-be-hard-and-it-might-seem-like-forever-to-accomplish-but/) [Gee Linder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gee-linder/) > [Hard time pressure babylone a put on the pressure, oh yes hard time pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-minott/hard-time-pressure-babylone-a-put-on-the-pressure-oh-yes-hard-time/) [Sugar Minott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-minott/) > [“Yes, you can. You can do it. You can do hard things. Do the hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/yes-you-can-you-can-do-it-you-can-do-hard-things-do-the-hard/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [I never understood when people go, 'Oh my gosh, it's so easy being pregnant.' No, it's hard. It's the most beautiful thing, yes, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-alves/i-never-understood-when-people-go-oh-my-gosh-it-s-so-easy-being/) [Camila Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-alves/) > [“No can always be changed to yes, but it's very hard to change yes to no.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/no-can-always-be-changed-to-yes-but-it-s-very-hard-to-change-yes-to-no/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [If I'm within reach and can be helpful, I have a tendency to say 'Yes.' It's hard to say 'No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-hamlisch/if-i-m-within-reach-and-can-be-helpful-i-have-a-tendency-to-say-yes/) [Marvin Hamlisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-hamlisch/) > [Yes, hard is good. When I was in high school, I spent a lot of time on my knees playing with balls. I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-piazza/yes-hard-is-good-when-i-was-in-high-school-i-spent-a-lot-of-time-on/) [Mike Piazza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-piazza/) > [Sometimes its hard to say no when you really mean yes.its hard to close your eyes when you really want to see its hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/sometimes-its-hard-to-say-no-when-you-really-mean-yes-its-hard-to/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [Nothing seems crueler--or more ironic--than these upper crusters who never pay a dime for their high-priced shrinks or reflexology sessions to call those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/nothing-seems-crueler-or-more-ironic-than-these-upper-crusters-who/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I'm not advocating for no guns. I like mine and am not about to give them up. But in this country, my uterus is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannyn-moore/i-m-not-advocating-for-no-guns-i-like-mine-and-am-not-about-to-give/) [Shannyn Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannyn-moore/) > [“… When I'm ready, my uterus will lunar eclipse. You could have been my baby. I was almost your mother. In the gap, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-c-valente/when-i-m-ready-my-uterus-will-lunar-eclipse-you-could-have-been-my/) [Joanna C. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-c-valente/) > [I compare songwriting to childbirth. How many kids can you have before your uterus explodes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-compare-songwriting-to-childbirth-how-many-kids-can-you-have-before/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [Beyond the immediate risks to her health and the health of her baby, when a woman chooses c-section, she decreases the chance that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-wagner/beyond-the-immediate-risks-to-her-health-and-the-health-of-her-baby/) [Marsden Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-wagner/) > [To all conservative women out there: If you are so sure the embryo needed for stem cell research are precious human life that can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/to-all-conservative-women-out-there-if-you-are-so-sure-the-embryo/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) ## More by Shonda Rhimes > [My philosophy was always try to look like Whitney Houston at all times. That did not work out so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-philosophy-was-always-try-to-look-like-whitney-houston-at-all/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [“Being numb no longer suits me. It’s ill-fitting and I’m antsy about it. I find myself snapping back at people more. Or writing little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/being-numb-no-longer-suits-me-it-s-ill-fitting-and-i-m-antsy-about-it/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [You don't necessarily have to watch something for 14 seasons. It's not necessarily the way everything's supposed to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/you-don-t-necessarily-have-to-watch-something-for-14-seasons-it-s-not/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. But sometimes our expectations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and-we-feel-a-little-bit-robbed/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My worst trait is that I'm an introvert. When I've led stuff, the hardest thing for me to overcome has been my natural desire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-worst-trait-is-that-i-m-an-introvert-when-i-ve-led-stuff-the/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [There are stories to be told that are still untold and characters to be portrayed that haven't been portrayed correctly. So there's work to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/there-are-stories-to-be-told-that-are-still-untold-and-characters-to/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I say it in the writers' room all the time: My black is not your black. What's terrifying is that, just the same way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-say-it-in-the-writers-room-all-the-time-my-black-is-not-your-black/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I don't think of myself as a television producer. Obviously, that's crazy. Because I should. That's what I do. But I don't actually see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-a-television-producer-obviously-that-s/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My father used to say to me, 'The only limit to your success is your own imagination.' I actually believed that - like, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-father-used-to-say-to-me-the-only-limit-to-your-success-is-your/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I don't identify with her, but I highly admire Eleanor Roosevelt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/i-don-t-identify-with-her-but-i-highly-admire-eleanor-roosevelt/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future, as if figuring it out will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/we-spend-our-whole-lives-worrying-about-the-future-planning-for-the/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [What I found fascinating for me was, I've never gotten so much approval and accolades and warmth and congratulations as when I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/what-i-found-fascinating-for-me-was-i-ve-never-gotten-so-much/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [“Look. I will not be told what size to be. I do not care about anyone else’s judgment about my body. I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/look-i-will-not-be-told-what-size-to-be-i-do-not-care-about-anyone/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [My parents created a world in which the only ­barrier to your success is your own imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-parents-created-a-world-in-which-the-only-barrier-to-your-success/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [There have to be practical steps. There's no point in holding out for a magic door because there are no magic doors. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/there-have-to-be-practical-steps-there-s-no-point-in-holding-out-for/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) [Explore all 194 Shonda Rhimes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. 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Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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